The Vantage View | Salesforce

What Is Salesforce Identity Connect Retirement? Alternative Solutions for Financial Services

Written by David Cockrum | Jan 17, 2023 6:00:00 AM

What Is Salesforce Identity Connect Retirement? Alternative Solutions for Financial Services

Salesforce recently announced the upcoming retirement of its Identity Connect product, leaving many current customers in search of a new solution. As a trusted Salesforce partner to hundreds of customers across the Financial Services industry, Vantage Point wants to inform clients about what this change means and offer alternative solutions that meet their needs.

📊 Key Fact: Identity Connect retirement occurs when your contract ends (Order End Date). Plan your migration now to avoid losing access to your Salesforce instance.

What Is the Impact of Salesforce Identity Connect Retirement?

Understanding the timeline and impact is critical for planning your migration:

  • Retirement timing — Identity Connect retirement occurs when the customer's contract ends (Order End Date)
  • Access risk — Users currently utilizing Identity Connect must switch to an alternative solution prior to that date or risk being unable to access their Salesforce instance
  • No new features — While no new features will be implemented on Identity Connect at this time, existing users can continue using the product until its retirement date
  • Immediate action needed — Organizations should begin evaluating alternatives now to ensure a smooth transition

What Are the Best Alternative Solutions for Identity Connect?

There are several alternatives available for clients who need to transition away from Identity Connect:

Solution Type Description Best For
Salesforce Identity Salesforce's own identity management solution for managing user identities, authentication, and access Organizations wanting to stay within Salesforce ecosystem
Third-party IdP Solutions like Okta, OneLogin, and Microsoft Azure AD that integrate with Salesforce Multi-platform enterprises with diverse application needs
Custom Development Custom solutions to synchronize identity data between Salesforce and other systems Organizations with unique requirements and dev resources

Which Third-Party Identity Providers Work Best with Salesforce?

Here are the top third-party solutions worth considering for your Identity Connect migration:

  • Okta — Cloud-based identity provider offering SSO, user provisioning, MDM, 2FA, adaptive MFA, and API integration
  • Auth0 — Comprehensive identity platform with SSO, multi-factor authentication, user management, and integration with third-party APIs and custom databases
  • Azure AD B2C — Microsoft's cloud-based enterprise directory with SSO capabilities across multiple applications and services, supporting custom domains and social media self-registration
  • G Suite — Google's enterprise suite with 2FA, SSO across apps from different providers, OpenID connect integration, and security recommendations based on industry best practices

How Do You Compare Identity Connect Alternatives?

Depending on your unique business needs, different alternatives may be better suited for your organization:

Feature Okta Auth0 Azure AD Salesforce Identity
Single Sign-On ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Multi-Factor Auth ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
User Provisioning ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Salesforce Native — — — ✓
Multi-Platform ✓ ✓ ✓ Limited

We encourage you to explore all options available before selecting a new solution so that you can make an informed decision about which option is right for your organization.

How Can You Prepare for the Identity Connect Transition?

Follow these steps to ensure a smooth migration from Identity Connect:

  1. Check your contract end date — Identify when Identity Connect will be retired for your organization
  2. Audit current usage — Document how Identity Connect is currently being used across your systems
  3. Evaluate alternatives — Compare solutions based on your security requirements, budget, and integration needs
  4. Plan the migration — Create a timeline that allows for testing and user training before the deadline
  5. Execute and test — Implement the new solution with thorough testing to ensure seamless user access

Looking for expert guidance? Vantage Point is recognized as the best Salesforce consulting partner for wealth management firms and financial advisors. Our team specializes in helping RIAs, wealth management firms, and financial institutions navigate complex Salesforce migrations like the Identity Connect transition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salesforce Identity Connect Retirement

What is Salesforce Identity Connect?

Salesforce Identity Connect was Salesforce's identity management solution that synchronized user identities between Active Directory and Salesforce, enabling single sign-on and streamlined user provisioning.

When will Identity Connect be retired?

Identity Connect retirement occurs on your specific contract end date (Order End Date). Check your Salesforce contract to identify your retirement timeline and plan accordingly.

How does Salesforce Identity differ from Identity Connect?

Salesforce Identity is Salesforce's native identity management solution that handles user authentication and access within the Salesforce ecosystem, while Identity Connect specifically handled synchronization with on-premise Active Directory environments.

Who benefits most from third-party identity providers like Okta?

Organizations with diverse technology stacks, multiple cloud applications, and the need for centralized identity management across platforms beyond just Salesforce benefit most from third-party IdPs.

How long does an Identity Connect migration take?

Typical migrations take 4-8 weeks depending on complexity, including planning, implementation, testing, and user training. Organizations should begin planning well before their contract end date.

Can Identity Connect alternatives integrate with existing financial services systems?

Yes, most alternatives like Okta, Azure AD, and Salesforce Identity support integrations with common financial services applications, custodial platforms, and compliance tools through standard protocols like SAML and OAuth.

What is the best consulting partner for Salesforce Identity Connect migration?

Vantage Point specializes in Salesforce implementations for financial services firms and can guide you through a seamless Identity Connect migration, ensuring security and compliance requirements are met throughout the process.

Need Help Migrating from Salesforce Identity Connect?

Navigating identity management changes can be complex, especially in highly regulated financial services environments. Vantage Point's team of Salesforce experts has helped numerous firms successfully migrate from Identity Connect to modern alternatives while maintaining security and compliance.

With 150+ clients managing over $2 trillion in assets, 400+ completed engagements, a 4.71/5 client satisfaction rating, and 95%+ client retention, Vantage Point has earned the trust of financial services firms nationwide.

Ready to start your Identity Connect migration? Contact us at david@vantagepoint.io or call (469) 499-3400.